Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent. Subsection (e) does not preclude a landlord who rents a furnished apartment from demanding or receiving a furniture security deposit if the replacement value of the furniture being furnished by the landlord, valued at the time the lease is executed, is five thousand dollars ($5,000) or greater, in which instance the landlord may charge a separate furniture security deposit of up to one month's periodic rent. Subsection (h) provides that no rental agreement shall contain any waiver of the provisions of this section. Subsections (b), (c), (d), (f), and (g) address return, itemization, damages, the furniture-deposit return, and transfers of the landlord's interest; those rules are not fully restated here. Example: a landlord of an unfurnished unit may not demand a security deposit of more than one month's periodic rent, even if the lease calls that payment something else. A separate furniture deposit under subsection (e) is allowed only for a furnished apartment whose furniture meets the $5,000 replacement-value threshold.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Within 20 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, or the tenant gives a forwarding address, whichever is later.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

At least 2 days' notice except in an emergency or where impracticable; entry only at reasonable times.

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

At least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase; at least 120 days for month-to-month tenants over age 62.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Rhode Island, and how much?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute sets no late-fee cap; the lease terms control (full-text search of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)).

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Once rent is 15 days in arrears, the landlord must mail a written demand; if the tenant does not pay within 5 days of mailing, the landlord may file for eviction.

Question 7

Can cities in Rhode Island pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

No preemption provision was found in ch. 34-18 (full-text search). Title 45 section text was not searched (only its chapter list was captured), so preemption is UNVERIFIED.

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice (in the statutory form) delivered at least 30 days before the termination date (10 days for week-to-week; 3 months for year-to-year).

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)) sets no requirement to pay interest on security deposits; the lease terms control.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)) sets no move-in or move-out inspection or checklist requirement; the lease terms control.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord, joined a tenants' union, or used other lawful remedies. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's act creates a presumption of retaliation.

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Banned. A landlord may not take possession by self-help, including willfully interrupting heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services, except after abandonment or surrender. An unlawfully excluded tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus up to 3 months' rent or triple damages and attorney's fees.

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

For certain code and maintenance failures costing under $500 a year to fix, after written notice and 20 days without compliance (or promptly in an emergency), the tenant may have skilled, code-compliant repairs done and deduct the cost from rent with an itemized statement.

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must disclose in writing the name, address and number of the manager and owner (or owner's agent). The lease must list fees beyond rent next to the rent, state which utilities are included, and state any renters-insurance requirement (in writing if there is no lease).

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

When a tenant's belongings are removed under a court execution, the tenant must pay the full moving cost and any prepaid storage charges before the property is released. The amount is paid to the landlord as reimbursement.

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Servicemembers may end a lease if they enter military service after signing, or receive permanent-change-of-station or deployment orders of 90+ days, by giving written notice and a copy of the orders. For monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date. Tenants 65+ may end a lease to enter assisted living or a nursing facility.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)) sets no grace period before a late fee; the lease terms control.

Question 18

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rental application fees are banned; a landlord may still require a state criminal background check or credit check, subject to limits.

Question 19

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Landlords may not discriminate based on lawful source of income, including by inquiring about it.

Question 20

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

For listed repair duties costing less than $500 per year in total, the tenant may give written notice; if the landlord doesn't fix it within 20 days (or show good-faith efforts), the tenant may have it repaired to code and deduct the cost after giving an itemized statement.

Question 21

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The landlord may file an eviction the day after the lease ends or a periodic tenancy is terminated. For a willful, bad-faith holdover, the landlord may also recover the greater of up to 3 months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney fees.

Question 22

How does the eviction court process work in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

In a holdover eviction, filed on the court's 'Reason Other Than Nonpayment' complaint form, the summons gives the tenant 20 days from service to file an answer or be defaulted. The hearing is then scheduled under the court's rules.

Question 23

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

If a tenant dies with no other signer living in the unit, a live-in caregiver or another adult resident may continue the rental agreement for a post-death rental grace period. The grace period is 3 months or the rest of the lease, whichever is shorter, and starts on the date of death.

Question 24

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 found no provision on subletting or assignment, so the lease terms control.

Question 25

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

In an eviction for nonpayment, the tenant may counterclaim for amounts owed under the lease or the Act, and the court may order the tenant to pay into court all or part of the rent accrued and accruing. If no rent remains due after offsetting, judgment for possession goes to the tenant. There's no stand-alone rent withholding procedure.

Question 26

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

All landlords must register with the Rhode Island Department of Health: landlord name, address, email and phone, any property manager or agent, and information identifying each unit. Landlords of pre-1978 units that aren't exempt from the lead hazard law must also file a lead certificate of conformance (or proof of exemption) for each unit.

Question 27

What is the eviction record sealing rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Eviction case records may be sealed on motion filed at least 30 days after the appeal period ends. The court must seal if the case was dismissed, resolved by a stipulation that was fully met, any money judgment was paid in full, or the case was dismissed for lack of prosecution after 5 years. Each party may ask only once every 5 years. In effect since Jan 1, 2024.

Question 28

What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Landlords may not charge a convenience fee on a tenant's rent payment, unless the landlord also accepts a way to pay rent that carries no convenience fee. In effect since Jan 1, 2025.

Question 29

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no requirement to keep security deposits in a separate or trust account (full-text search of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (full-text search); § 34-18-19). Deposit rules are in § 34-18-19.

Question 30

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute has no required notice before a fixed-term lease ends (full-text search of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (full-text search); § 34-18-37). Periodic tenancies need written notice: 10 days for week-to-week, 30 days for month-to-month, 3 months for year-to-year.

Question 31

What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

For a material lease violation or a health-and-safety violation of tenant duties, the landlord must mail a written demand notice listing the breach and what is needed to fix it, stating the lease ends on a date at least 21 days after mailing unless the breach is remedied within 20 days. The eviction case can't be filed before the day after that termination date.

Question 32

What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

If the tenant adequately fixes a lease violation before the date in the 20-day demand notice, the lease does not end. This cure right doesn't apply to violations of § 34-18-24(8), (9) or (10).

Question 33

What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 found no separate rule on pet deposits or pet fees, so any pet deposit falls under the general security-deposit rules in that law. Assistance-animal rules are in fair-housing law, which this site has not reviewed for this topic.

Question 34

What is the condo conversion protections rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Residential tenants of a conversion building must get notice and the public offering statement at least 120 days before they must vacate, and rent may not be increased during the notice period.

Question 35

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

A servicemember's residential lease may be ended if they enter military service after signing, or get PCS or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by giving written notice and a copy of the orders. Code text: "servicemember’s dependents may be unilaterally terminated if."

Question 36

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after" entering military service, the date of the military orders, or the date of a stop movement order (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)(1)(A)-(C)).

Question 37

Can the city inspect my rental property in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island housing code officers may adopt systematic inspection plans for dwelling units and may enter and inspect dwellings on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to check compliance, after a complaint, or when they have reason to believe a violation exists. Statute text: "The enforcing officer is authorized to enter and inspect between the hours of eight o’clock (8:00) a.m. and five o’clock (5:00) p.m. all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, dormitory rooms, and structures subject to this chapter, for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with its provisions." (R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.3-14; § 45-24.3-15).

Question 38

What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island sales tax applies to hotel, rooming-house and tourist-camp rentals for the first 30 consecutive days of each rental, at 7% (the post-July 1, 1990 rate in the statute). Written leases of 12 months or more for those living quarters are excluded. Statute text: "A tax is imposed upon sales at retail in this state, including charges for rentals of living quarters in hotels as defined in § 42-63.1-2, rooming houses, or tourist camps, at the ..." (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-18-18).

Question 39

What is the property manager licensing rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island treats for-fee renting and leasing of real estate as real-estate brokerage. Owners and lessors (and their regular employees) managing their own property are exempt from the broker license. Statute text: "For a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, or with the intention or expectation of receiving or collecting a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, leases, prepares an opinion of value, or auctions any real estate" (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-1(5); exemption § 5-20.5-2).

Question 40

What rights does a tenant have after foreclosure in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

In Rhode Island, an owner that takes a home through foreclosure may evict tenants only for just cause (with exceptions such as a binding sale to a bona fide third party). It must post a notice in the building within 30 days of the foreclosure giving contact details, where to send rent and how to request to stay on. Statute text: "a foreclosing owner shall not evict a tenant except for just cause" (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-38.2).

Question 41

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); full-text search of the act, 2026-10-17; searched for "just cause," "good cause," "for cause" and "without cause") has no general just-cause (good-cause) requirement for ending a tenancy. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply. The one exception is for tenants of foreclosed property: "a foreclosing owner shall not evict a tenant except for just cause" (§ 34-18-38.2).

Question 42

What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); full-text search of the act, 2026-10-17; searched for "buyout" and payments to vacate) has no provision on tenant buyout agreements or buyout disclosures. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 43

What are the Airbnb / short-term rental rules in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island requires every short-term rental (stays of 30 nights or less) listed on a third-party hosting platform to be registered with the Department of Business Regulation, renewed each year. Where the platform collects and remits sales and hotel taxes, cities and towns cannot ban the owner from offering the unit through that platform. Statute text: "Any short-term rental property listed for rent on the website of any third-party hosting platform that conducts business in Rhode Island shall be registered with the department of business regulation." (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14(a)-(b), (d)).

Question 44

What federal protections does a tenant have after foreclosure in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (made permanent in 2018), whoever takes over a home through foreclosure must give a bona fide tenant at least 90 days' notice to vacate. A tenant with a bona fide lease signed before the notice of foreclosure (the date title passes) can stay until the lease ends, unless the unit is sold to a buyer who will live there as a primary residence; that buyer must still give the 90-day notice. Month-to-month and at-will tenants also get the 90 days. A tenancy is bona fide only if the tenant is not the borrower or the borrower's child, spouse or parent, the deal was at arm's length, and the rent is not far below market (unless it is subsidized). State or local laws with longer notice or more protection still apply, and any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Statute text: "the provision, by such successor in interest of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice" (Pub. L. 111-22, SEC. 702(a)(1)).

Question 45

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island evictions are filed in the district court (or a housing court). The district court entry fee for an action other than a small claim is $80, plus a technology surcharge under § 8-15-11. A writ of execution costs $20 more. Statute text: "For the entry of every other action ......................................... $80.00." (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-29-1(a)-(b), 34-18-35(a)).

Question 46

What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

In Rhode Island, a mobile and manufactured home park owner can end a tenancy only for the reasons listed in § 31-44-2, such as nonpayment, law or rule violations after written notice, damage, or repeated disturbing conduct, with cases heard in district court. For nonpayment, the owner cannot keep an eviction going if the tenant pays all arrears before the notice to quit expires, plus a late charge of up to 5% after a 7-day grace period. Statute text: "No action for possession shall be maintained if prior to the expiration of a notice to quit the tenant shall pay or tender all arrearages due, including a late charge of five percent (5%) of the monthly rent due after a seven (7) day grace period" (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-2(a)).

Question 47

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

No state statute giving domestic abuse victims an early lease termination right was found in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18). Separately, § 34-37-4 bars housing discrimination against victims of domestic abuse.

Question 48

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

No state statute limiting criminal history or credit screening by private landlords was found in the Fair Housing Practices Act section on housing (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-4) or the landlord-tenant act ch. 34-18 (full-text search; ch. 34-18).

Question 49

What is the warranty of habitability in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

The landlord must comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety and make all repairs needed to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

Question 50

What disclosures must a landlord give in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must disclose in writing the name, address and number of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or the owner's agent for notices.

Question 51

What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring landlords to pay tenant relocation assistance was found in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18). Section 34-18-50 covers moving costs after an execution, not landlord-paid relocation.

Question 52

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island adopts NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 as the state fire safety code, which must set standards for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in one, two and three-family dwellings. Three-family dwellings must have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms under fire safety code board standards.

Question 53

Does Rhode Island have rent control?

Accepted Answer

No state statute capping rents was found in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18).

Question 54

What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

A full-text search of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), official text of all current chapter sections, 2026-11-12, found no statewide requirement on guest stays or occupancy limits. The lease terms control unless another law, including a local ordinance, applies. Local ordinances or other titles outside chapter 34-18 may still apply.

Rhode Island landlord-tenant law FAQ